Recently, I interviewed a man for whom I once worked as a print journalist - he once owned a chain of newspapers in Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky. He asked me how I was doing, and I told him I am working harder than I've ever worked, but the work is very meaningful and that makes all the difference in the world. The really cool part, though, was his response. He said if he was still in the news business, he would be doing something very much like Patch. I didn't say it, but if he had been doing anything like Patch six years ago, I'd still be working for him.
Joni Hubred-Golden, Local Editor, Farmington Patch
Danielle Horn, Associate Regional Editor, MetroWest Boston
“You work for The Patch?” I’ve been asked this while covering events, shopping in Patch territory while vacationing 1,500 miles away and walking on a beach in Maine, where we don’t even have Patches. People see my green t-shirt and strike up conversations. Some say they love their local Patch. Some are curious. Others ask when Patch will come to their town. These interactions prove that it’s not only the “experts” who are watching us; it’s our current and future customers. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of such an exciting effort to improve our communities, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else.
Heather Asiyanbi, Local Editor, Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patch
This is the best job in the world. Flexibility, creativity, ownership of the site, covering news, making connections, developing community relationships, participating in conversations - I mean, what is there not to love? Oh, sure, there's some frustration, but what job doesn't have parts that are less than exciting, right? I tell everyone that working at Patch is the best job in the world. Period.
Brad Gerick, Associate Regional Editor, Maryland
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to work for a game-changing company before it actually changed the game? You know, being able to say you were on the ground level of something greater than the sum of its parts? That's what working for Patch is like.
David Ryan, Local Editor, Suisun City Patch
The Patch in my office. The Patch on my couch. The Patch in my backyard. The Patch on the steps of city hall after the police press conference. The TV news guy walks over: The Patch, you guys are doing great! The Patch down Main Street, where I say hello to all the business owners I know by name. The Patch at the mall, where there's new dining court. Someone walks up: You're the Patch guy! I love The Patch! It's good to be The Patch!
Cathy Deering, Ad Manager, Minnesota
After 16 years of broadcast media sales experience, I'm really excited to be on the digital side now with Patch.com! I have the coolest career ever ... ad manager for Patch.com. I get to introduce communities to their very own online resource for news, events and local businesses. It's their site to participate in, communicate with, support their local shops, engage in community events and read great, local stories. How cool is that? I.Love.My.Job. The whole Patch concept is my favorite part of my job. I get to focus on each community and figure out what makes them who they are - from the local coffee shop to the big box store right in the heart of it all. High honorable mention to my team of coworkers I get to learn from, lean on, advise, seek advice from and of course share a good laugh with daily. They're truly the most talented group of people I've had a chance to work with in a long time. They're referred to as "rock stars" on a regular basis ... and rightly so.
Brandon Tidd, Ad Manager, Ohio
I entered the world of Patch with the wide-eyed curiosity and excitement of a child, and that feeling has never quite gone away. From reuniting lost pets and their owners, to showcasing local talent in the community, every single day Patch finds a new way to inspire, inform and integrate further into the communities we serve. The culture of this company is unlike any I’ve ever had the pleasure of being involved with, and I am proud to represent Patch as we push the boundaries of technology and journalism to make the lives of our residents and clients ridiculously simple.
Sonia Dasgupta, Associate Regional Editor, Maryland
We have the most innovative, creative employees finding a way to help take journalism to the next level. As an editor I've gotten five years worth of journalism experience in a year because of the variety of subjects I report and the amount I learned about technology, social media and aggregation.
Susanne Spruit, Ad Manager, Michigan
Having worked on an automotive account for the last couple years, I had forgotten what it was like to work with directly with small business owners who needed - and welcomed - advertising and marketing expertise. They are all so busy juggling their different hats that they are so appreciative to have the insight and experience I bring to their media planning and creative execution. Taking a couple extra minutes and giving them an advertising 101 is rewarding and reminds me why got into this business. Frankly, advertising should be fun - it's not brain surgery, we're not dealing with life and death - it is just a way to grow their business. I believe in Patch and what it brings to the community. Attending community events recharges my batteries because it gives me a good sense how much Patch has grown in the one year it has been in Michigan and how much our readers love Patch. I have found out how true the 7 degrees of separation is and am constantly amazed how many people I am connected to in one way or another. Oh, and I love what I call the "Patch Voice" - when people find out where I work and they are familiar with Patch, their voice goes up a couple octaves and they say "Patch? I love Patch!".
Michael Shalin, Senior Ad Manager, Illinois
Last summer everyone in my Patch town knew about my green, Patch t-shirt. I wore the shirt out all the time, especially at local events in my town. I even wore my shirt playing softball. I would wash the shirt every night and once I received my second shirt, I was even more thrilled. I love working at Patch because of our product, most of my conversations amongst my friends begin with: Did you see this on Patch, or That should be on Patch. Every chance I am out and about with my family, I make sure to bring or wear anything with the Patch logo!
